When can I let my chicks out?

[Barmy]

I have 4 chicks, 1 red 1 black and 2 white. the red is still quite small but the others all look like little chickens now and are trying to escape every 5 minutes. They are curently in a stable which is where they can stay and we were going to give them free rein of the yard and garden.
How do I go about letting them take their first steps outside. should they be in a cage or free to roam. will they go back to the stable in a crisis
We got them at 1 week old the week that the schools closed for the easter holidays

I look forward to your replies

[rickkerri]

How old are they?
If they are of age 16 weeks plus we just open the door as long as they have spent a couple of nights in where they are going to live they will return there at dusk. then they will free range and eat bugs and stuff all around
good luck

[Cloud]

The Omlet Forum is a very good source of information about keeping chickens. Should be able to answer this and other questions. Although it's centred around Eglu owners I've found it a valuable resource.

[red]

we move ours outside from the time they are fully feathered. which is about 5 weeks ish.

They go itno a coup with a little house, and we shut them in at night.